Perfect, Fluffy Quinoa

Slightly toasting quinoa before cooking makes a wonderfully fragrant quinoa with great texture and flavor. Slideshow:  Quinoa Recipes 

How to Cook Perfect, Fluffy Quinoa
Photo: © Todd Porter & Diane Cu
Total Time:
25 mins
Yield:
Makes about 3 1/2 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 cups water

  • Pinch of kosher or sea salt

Directions

  1. Rinse the quinoa under cold water for about 1 minute. Drain well and put quinoa in a medium saucepan.

  2. Stir in the olive oil and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently until the remaining water is evaporated and the quinoa is slightly toasted.

  3. Stir in the water and salt, and increase the heat to high. After the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.

  4. Gently simmer, covered, for 15 minutes. There may still be some water not yet absorbed. Remove from heat.

  5. Keeping the pan covered, let it stand for 5 minutes, or until the remaining water is absorbed.

  6. Remove the lid and gently fluff the quinoa.

Related Articles